HEALTH TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
HOW
TO DEAL WITH COMMON TRAVEL HEALTH PROBLEMS:
Allergies
If you suffer from from allergies you should take the same precautions
while traveling as you do at home. Take with you
ALLERGY MEDICATIONS used on a
regular basis. It’s also a good idea to add to your travell
healt kit an
ANTIHISTAMINE in case of
accidental exposure to a substance that triggers an allergic reaction.
It also may be helpful to pack your
own
pillowcase for use in hotels, and to request a
non-smoking room.
Animal
and Insect Bites
Animal
bites carry
a high risk of infection. If there is no heavy bleeding, wash the wound
well with soap and water, cover the wound and seek professional
attention. A serious wound should be cleaned and treated only by
trained medical staff. Many animal bites require a tetanus
shot and, in certain cases, a rabies shot. If bitten by a snake, lie as
still as possible so not to spread the venom that may be present; then
send others to get help immediately.
Insect
bites
can be life-threatening to people with severe allergy to the insect's
venom. Symptoms of allergic reaction include pain, swelling of the
throat, redness or discoloration at the site of the bite, itching,
hives, decreased consciousness and difficult or noisy breathing. In all
cases of insect bites be alert for signs of allergic reaction or shock
and seek medical attention as quickly as possible. If a stinger remains
in the victim, you may try to remove it carefully with a tweezers or by
scraping with the edge of a credit card. But be careful not to squeeze
the stinger as this will inject more venom. Once a stinger has been
removed, the wound should be washed well with soap and water. Cold
compresses will help relieve pain and swelling. The stung area should
be kept lower than the heart to slow circulation of the venom.
Following a
snake bite
try to quickly identify the species of snake if possible. Remove any
jewelry or tight fitting clothing. Quickly tie a light restricting band
both above and below the bite area a few inches away from the
puncture/bite marks. Without cutting, apply strong suction, preferably
within seconds of the bite directly on the main or deepest
puncture/bite marks. This can be accomplished with the mouth or a
commercial bite kit suction device. Time is critical here as any venom
present will become destructive very quickly! Apply antiseptic cleanser
to the entire area and place cold compress as closely as possible
without interfering with suction process. Check constriction bands
periodically as swelling may occur and loosen as appropriate. Avoid
food or liquid intake. Keep yourself warm and immobilized. But
remember that movement to proper treatment facility is more crucial
than maintaining immobile status. For your own safety you can buy
SNAKE BITE KITS.
Arthritis
The inflammation of the joints that occurs with arthritis may be
especially troubling during long travel trips that restrict movement.
Taking
frequent breaks to walk around and relieve stiff joints and muscles can
make car, plane and cruise trips more enjoyable. Remember to pack
aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or any prescription medications you
normally use for arthritis.
Cholera
This bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract is most common
among travelers
in Indonesia, most of Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa. Spread by eating or
drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms are mild to severe
diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. Avoid uncooked food and unbottled
water. Vaccination before travel is 50% effective, lasts 2 to 6 months.
Dehydration
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and don't wait until you
feel thirsty. Avoid caffeinated drinks, which can dehydrate you even
more.Water is better than coffee, tea and fruit juices. Buy large
containers of water at convenience stores and keep them in your hotel
room. Drink a glass or two before going out, and a glass or two after
coming back in, even if you have just had a meal. Take your own water
with you on any kind of long bus ride or any travel trip where you may
be in
the sun a lot.
Diarrhea
According to statistics, 50% of international travellers get stomach
problems. Factors such as travel fatigue, jet lag, a change in diet, a
different climate and a low level of immunity may aggravate the problem
by reducing a traveller's resistance and making them more susceptible
to this type of infection or poisoning.
Prevention tips:
Avoid raw uncooked meat, raw fruit and vegetables, seafood, tap water,
ice and unpasteurized milk products. The chance of becoming sick or
developing an upset stomach seems to depend more on how you handle the
heat than on whether you drink the water. Some people become sick the
first day and recover in a couple of days, while others who eat and
drink the same things may not have any problems for an entire two-week
stay. Drink only bottled water (although the tip of the bottle may be
contaminated, so wipe it clean before drinking from it) or water that
has been boiled for at least 20 minutes. If you begin to feel sick or
develop a fever, rest and drink tea or purified water. Most cases of
traveler’s diarrhea clear up within a few days. Make sure to
wear a hat, drink plenty of fluids starting before you start to feel
thirsty, and if you feel worn out, queasy, or over-full during the day,
take a 1-2 hour nap.
IMODIUM and
PEPTO-BISMOL help in most cases.
Heatstroke
and Hypothermia
To avoid heatstroke while on a travel, stay out of the sun for
prolonged periods of time.
By the same token, try to avoid unusually cold water to prevent
hypothermia. Get yourself a warm sweet drink, do not drink alcohol or
coffee.
Hepatitis
A
This viral infection of the liver is transmitted through food, water or
person-to-person contact. Most common in developing countries in
Africa, Latin America, India and Mexico.
Symptoms include one
to two weeks to several months of fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea and
abdominal discomfort, followed within a few days by jaundice. Vaccine
is 95%-100% effective. One shot should be taken at least four weeks
before travel. A booster is given six to 12 months later.
Hepatitis
B
The liver infection that can cause chronic hepatitis and extensive
liver damage. It may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and is a major
cause of liver cancer. Most common in Africa, India, the Middle East,
some Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia. Transmitted by blood, body
fluids, needles.
Symptoms
include: fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea and abdominal discomfort,
followed within a few days by jaundice. Can be prevented by
vaccine (90%-95% effective). Three doses should be given six months
before travel.
Japanese
Encephalitis
It is a viral disease that can affect the central nervous
system. Common in agricultural regions of Asia. Transmitted
through a bite from infected mosquitoes.
Symptoms are usually
flu-like, with fever, chills, tiredness, headache, nausea and vomiting.
Pre-travel vaccinations are 80% effective after a single dose and 97.5%
effective
after a second dose.
Jet
Lag
Tiredness and slight disorientation for days after arriving, lack of
concentration and motivation, broken sleep, confusion- all these
symptoms
are usual
for jet lag. The syndrome is made worse by some common physical
problems caused by being confined in an airliner for hours:
dehydration, discomfort of legs and feet, diarrhea. The main but not
the
only cause of travel jet lag is crossing time
zones. Others are dry atmosphere inside the aircraft, high
altitude cabin air pressure, stale air, impact of alcohol, lack
of movement while onboard. Young children often seem to
suffer less. Travelers who are used to follow a rigid daily routine,
and
who are bothered by changes to routine, are often the worst sufferers.
It usually takes at least 72 hours to adjust to a new time zone.
Book
flights
with daytime arrival to your destination, not in the middle of the
night. Get a good night's sleep just prior to departure. Avoid alcohol
in
flight, try to drink as much water as possible. Water is better than
coffee, tea and fruit juices. Your menu should include milk, yoghurt,
turkey, tuna and chicken. Move around when in-flight, walk up and
down the plane, do some stretching exercises, to keep the blood
circulating, and stop the joints from stiffening. While seated, swirl
your ankles around from time to time.
BLINDFOLDS,
EAR PLUGS,
NECKRESTS and BLOW-UP PILLOWS are
all useful in helping you get quality sleep while flying. Set your
watch to the local time of your destination as you board, and sleep
according to that. This will help your body to start the change in its
body clock so you will be back to normal a lot quicker. The homeopathic
preparation called
NO JET LAG has no side effects and
is compatible with other medications.
Malaria
It is a serious, sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite. Common
in more than 100 countries, including sub-Saharan Africa, India,
Central and South America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Oceania.
More than 40% of the world's population is at risk. Transmitted through
a bite from a malaria-infected mosquito. Symptoms
are fever and flu-like illness, including shaking, chills, headache,
muscle aches and tiredness. Prevention: various malaria drugs are
available, which can be taken before and during a trip. Some strains
are resistant to drugs. Malaria can be cured.
Meningitis
This is an acute bacterial disease of the bloodstream or of the
meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord). Most
common in sub-Saharan Africa, although it has occurred in Saudi Arabia.
Transmitted through direct, close contact with nose or throat
discharges of an infected person.
Symptoms:
fever at onset, intense headache, nausea and often vomiting, stiff neck
and, frequently, a purplish rash with pink macules (discolorations on
the skin). A vaccine will protect a traveler against some strains, but
it can be
treated with antibiotics.
Motion
Sickness
Motion sickness occurs when the body is subjected to accelerations of
movement in different directions or under conditions where visual
contact with the actual outside horizon is lost. The balance center of
the inner ear then sends information to the brain that conflicts with
the visual clues of apparently standing still in the interior cabin of
a ship or airplane. The usual
symptoms
are dizziness, fatigue, and nausea which may progress to vomiting.
When traveling by
vehicle,
try to sit in the front seat and, if you can, avoid reading as it only
heightens the feeling of motion sickness. When traveling by
ship, sit as close
to the middle of the vessel as possible, face forward and look straight
ahead at the horizon. When
flying,
try to sit near the wing of the plane and look outside. Ear plugs also
may help. If medications are necessary for a traveler, they are best
taken at least
one hour before embarking. The over-the-counter medications
DRAMAMINE or
BONINE can be very effective for
short trips or when symptoms occurr intermittently. For longer travel
trips, a
prescription medication called Transderm-Scop comes in the form of a
patch can be worn behind the ear for up to three days at a time.
Overactive
Bladder and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
If you suffer from an overactive bladder or irritable bowel syndrome,
you may require frequent bathroom visits during long travel trips.
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications are often helpful for the
latter, and there are prescription medications available for people who
may experience more severe symptoms. Avoiding stress, caffeine, and
certain types of high-fat foods can help keep these conditions under
control.
Tetanus
Also called lockjaw, tetanus is a bacterial disease that affects the
nervous system. Contracted through a wound that becomes contaminated
with the organism.
Symptoms:
muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw), followed by stiffness of the
neck, difficulty in swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, spasms,
sweating and fever. Pre-travel vaccination is 100% effective, and a
booster is needed
every ten years. Approximately 11% of reported cases are fatal.
Typhoid
Fever
A bacterial infection of the intestinal tract and occasionally the
bloodstream. Risk is greatest for travelers to the Indian subcontinent
and other low-income countries in Asia, Africa and Central and South
America. Transmitted throughfood or water contaminated with salmonella.
Symptoms
include sudden onset of sustained fever, severe headache, nausea and
severe loss of appetite. It is sometimes accompanied by hoarse cough,
constipation or diarrhea. Vaccine should be taken two weeks before
traveling and is 50%-80% effective.
Yellow
Fever
This mosquito-borne viral disease is common in Sub-Saharan Africa and
tropical South America. Transmitted through a bite from an infected
mosquito.
Symptoms are
fever, headache, vomiting and backache. As the disease progresses, the
pulse slows and weakens and bleeding of the gums and bloody urine
occur. Jaundice may also occur. A vaccine shot should be taken at least
15 days before traveling and is nearly 100% effective. 5%-10% of cases
are fatal.
RECOMMENDED TO HAVE:
FIRST-AID-KIT
You are adviced to keep a first-aid kit handy for any emergencies that
may arise during your travel. It should include:
| A first-aid manual |
Motion sickness medication |
Sunscreen |
| Bandages, gauze and tape |
Water purification tablets |
Aspirin |
| Scissors |
Antacid |
Antihistamine (allergy
medication) |
| Tweezers |
Cold and flu tablets |
Antiseptic |
| Thermometer |
Cortisone cream |
Antibiotic ointment |
| Throat lozenges |
Insect repellent |
Pain-killing pills (Advil,
Tylenol) |
| Anti-diarrheal medication |
Calamine lotion |
Health and vaccination records |
*You can buy
First-Aid Travel kits at an online
store (starting at $
22.50
USD) or check out first-aid-kits assortment and prices at an
online auction.
They
TRAVEL
INSURANCE
Do not forget to buy a travel insurance. While traveling everyone can
encounter unexpected events, ranging from the inconvenient to truly
serious ones. Travel protection plans offer comprehensive benefits to
meet various challenges of travel and help you enjoy a worry-free trip.
We have a page on
travel insurance tips.
When your health insurance doesn’t travel with you take
Travel Insurance provided through
Travel
Guard, one of the world leaders in providing effective,
with abundant choices but not expensive travel coverage:
Travel Insurance
starting at $30
VACCINATIONS
If you plan to travel to exotic destinations, we recommend you to see a
specialist two to four weeks before a trip as many vaccines take a few
weeks to become effective, which can be problematic for those who tend
to take last-minute trips. Some shots, such as those for
tetanus and
hepatitis A and
B, are worth having
even if you're not planning to travel abroad. Hepatitis A is found in
contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood
or other bodily fluids, so sexually active people with multiple
partners should consider getting the shot. While some people may not
like the idea of having multiple shots administered at once, there's
very little risk of side effects for the average healthy person. One
exception is that people with allergies to dairy and eggs may not be
able to take certain vaccines.
USEFUL
LINKS
